31. San Francisco, Sylvester Williams, DE, North Carolina
He can fill need at end in the 3-4 and slide inside in passing situations.
Mock 4: Hunt.

31. San Francisco, Sylvester Williams, DE, North Carolina
He can fill need at end in the 3-4 and slide inside in passing situations.
Mock 4: Hunt.

Photo: Gerry Broome / Associated Press

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32. Baltimore, Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
The Ravens lost two inside linebackers, and they need an infusion of youth.
Mock 4: Minter.

32. Baltimore, Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
The Ravens lost two inside linebackers, and they need an infusion of youth.
Mock 4: Minter.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Chronicle

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John McClain's mock draft 4.0

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I’ve returned to the Texans selecting a receiver in the first round. If there’s not a receiver they like and believe is worth the 27th overall pick, they’ll pass him up and go for another position. Outside linebacker, offensive tackle and inside linebacker are their other needs.

As the clock ticks down to Thursday’s first-round, the biggest mystery is where West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith will go. I’ve had him going to a different team in every mock, including the New York Jets in this one with the first-round pick they acquired from Tampa Bay in Sunday’s trade for Darrelle Revis.

1. Kansas City

Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

Andy Reid needs a tackle to help protect new quarterback Alex Smith.

Mock 3: Joeckel.

2. Jacksonville

Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

He’s not their most glaring need, but he should be a Pro Bowl selection.

Mock 3: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

3. Oakland

Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

The best defensive line prospect fills a desperate need on the inside.

Mock 3: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU

4. Philadelphia

Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon

Chip Kelly gets his former college pupil to put pressure on the passer.

Mock 3: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

5. Detroit

Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU

He’s talented but raw and can be developed to replace Cliff Avril.

Mock 3: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

6. Cleveland

Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

He and Joe Haden will give them a pair of first-round picks at corner.

Mock 3: Milliner

7. Arizona

Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

Bruce Arians wants to bolster the worst offensive line in the NFL.

Mock 3: Johnson

8. Buffalo

Chance Warmack, G, Alabama

The best guard prospect will help an offensive line that lost Andy Levitre.

Mock 3: Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina

9. NY Jets

Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

After trading Darrelle Revis, this is a natural pick for second-best corner.

Mock 3: Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon

10. Tennessee

Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina

An outstanding right guard who can become a perennial Pro Bowl selection.

Mock 3: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama

11. San Diego

D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

They’ll try to move up to trade for one of the other offensive tackles.

Mock 3: Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU

12. Miami

Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

They’ll be surprised if he’s still available when they make this pick.

Mock 3: Lotulelei

13. NY Jets (from Tampa Bay)

Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

With an extra first-round pick, they go for highest-rated quarterback.

Mock 3: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

14. Carolina

Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

An under-the-radar player who can get up field and collapse the pocket.

Mock 3: Richardson

15. New Orleans

Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU

An outside pass rusher with a lot of upside for Rob Ryan’s new 3-4 defense.

Mock 3: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

16. St. Louis

Kenny Vaccaro, FS, Texas

They’re desperate for a new safety, and they’ll get the best in the draft.

Mock 3: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

17. Pittsburgh

Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

Losing James Harrison forced them to go for replacement on the outside.

Mock 3: Cordarrelle Patterson

18. Dallas

Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina

They’re returning to a 4-3, and he should help considerably as a rookie.

Mock 3: Kenny Vaccaro, FS, Texas

19. NY Giants

Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia

They’ll overlook off-the-field issues since he can play inside or outside.

Mock 3: Tyler Eifert, TE Notre Dame

20. Chicago

Manti Te’o, MLB, Notre Dame

All the Irish fans in Chicago will go crazy over Brian Urlacher’s replacement.

Mock 3: Alec Ogletree, MLB, Georgia

21. Cincinnati

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

The top-rated receiver in the draft has the size and talent they covet.

Mock 3: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

22. St. Louis

Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

They risked losing him by not using their initial No. 1 pick on him.

Mock 3: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama

23. Minnesota

Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

He’s the third-best prospect at his position, and he fills a need.

Mock 3: Trufant

24. Indianapolis

Datone Jones, DE, UCLA

He can play outside in 3-4 and inside in 4-3 and put heat on the passer.

Mock 3: Jones

25. Minnesota

Robert Woods, WR, USC

They need another weapon to help the newly acquired Greg Jennings.

Mock 3: Manti Te’o, MLB, Notre Dame

26. Green Bay

Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame

The best player at his position makes Jermichael Finley expendable next season.

Mock 3: Matt Elam, SS, Florida

27. Houston

DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson

After starting for three seasons, he’s ready to contribute as a rookie.

Mock 3: Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State

28. Denver

D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston

His stock is soaring, and he’ll be groomed to eventually replace Champ Bailey.

29. New England

Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor

Three-year starter can stretch the defense and give Tom Brady a deep threat.

Mock 3: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson

30. Atlanta

Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

He’ll provide an outside pass rush to help replace John Abraham.

Mock 3: Werner

31. San Francisco

Eric Reid, FS, LSU

A talented prospect who can cover receivers and hit like a linebacker.

<center><strong>Sept. 9 – At San Diego</strong>
Time: 9:20 p.m.
TV: ESPN</center>
McClain comment: A prime-time opener against a team that finished 7-9, including 3-5 at home.
Prediction: Texans 27-17.
Record: 1-0 less

<center><strong>Sept. 9 – At San Diego</strong>
Time: 9:20 p.m.
TV: ESPN</center>
McClain comment: A prime-time opener against a team that finished 7-9, including 3-5 at home.
Prediction: Texans ... more

<center><strong>Dec. 1 – New England</strong>
Time: 3:25 p.m.
TV: CBS</center>
McClain comment: Texans get revenge after being embarrassed at New England two times in 2012.
Prediction: Texans 33-30
Record: 10-2 less

<center><strong>Dec. 1 – New England</strong>
Time: 3:25 p.m.
TV: CBS</center>
McClain comment: Texans get revenge after being embarrassed at New England two times in 2012.
Prediction: Texans ... more